Effect of chronic exposure to ammonia on growth, food utilisation and metabolism of the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

Abstract

The chronic effects of exposing sea bass (average initial weight 100 g) to ammonia in water at 22°C were first evaluated over a 61-day period (period 1, P1) during which nine different groups were submitted to nine ambient ammonia levels ranging from 0.014 to 0.493 mg l -1 NH 3 -N (0.53-16.11 mg l -1 total ammonia nitrogen (TA-N)) and fed using self-feeders. At the end of P1, the fish were starved for 10 days (P2). Their recovery capacity was tested over 43 days (P3) after which the exogenous ammonia supply was stopped in all treatments and the fish were allowed to feed. After 20 days of exposure a highly significant effect of ammonia was evident from the decrease in feeding activity, voluntary feed intake (VFI) and specific growth rate (SGR), and the increase in the feed conversion ratio (FCR). Ammonia exposure had no effect on circadian feeding rhythm or hourly actuation profiles. At the end of P1, the fish seemed to have adapted to all ambient ammonia concentrations tested since feeding and growth parameters were independent of ammonia levels. But they were unable to compensate for growth losses. Physiological adjustments were observed: plasma TA-N concentrations were positively related to ambient TA-N while there was no major disturbance in plasma urea. Plasma tri-iodo-thyronine concentrations were affected by ambient ammonia concentrations and there were no significant changes in hydromineral balance. During P2, oxygen consumption and urea excretion did appear to have been affected by ambient ammonia. When the exogenous supply of ammonia was stopped (P3), fish exhibited hyperphagia and compensatory growth. In fish previously exposed to the highest ammonia levels, SGR and VFI were highest, and their FCR was improved. At the end of the experiment the final average weights were similar in all of the treatments (range 337-396 g). Depending on the concentrations used, ammonia exposure may enhance subsequent fish appetite and growth rate and have a similar effect on growth performances as restricting feeding level. Within the range tested, no detrimental effect of ammonia on the metabolic capacity of the fish, measured by oxygen consumption and urea excretion, or on their physiological status was recorded, and the fish had a good recovery capacity. In the conditions of the experiment, the non-observable effect concentration (NOEC) was 6 mg l -1 .

Caligus Elongatus and Photobacterium Damselae Subsp Piscicida Concomitant Infections Affecting Broodstock European Seabass, Dicentrarchus Labrax, with Special Reference to Histopathological Responses

“…The co-existence of unfavorable un-ionized ammonia levels, 0.9 mg/L, exacerbated the case and put more pressure on broodstock seabass [44] recommended 0.26 mg/L as a safe longterm limit for un-ionized ammonia in seawater. High ammonia levels enhance microbial infections through suppressing the immune capacity of fish.…”

Evaluation of Dicentrarchus labrax Meats and the Vegetable Quality of Beta vulgaris var. cicla Farmed in Freshwater and Saltwater Aquaponic Systems

“…(Falconara Marittima, IT) and were composed of a 500 L fish tank and a 2 m 2 plant growth bed filled with expanded clay (LECA, Milan, Italy). Expanded clay operates either as mechanical filter by removing solid waste or as a biological filter by sustaining the population of nitrifying bacteria that oxidize ammonium-which is highly toxic for fish [9,10]-to nitrate. According to "ebb and flow technology" [11], the water flow was activated at 15 min/h by a pump at a rate of 600 L/h.…”

Modulation of Rh glycoproteins, ammonia excretion and Na+ fluxes in three freshwater teleosts when exposed chronically to high environmental ammonia

“…While chronic toxicity during HEA exposure is well documented (Dosdat et al, 2003;Knoph and Thorud, 1996;Lemarié et al, 2004;McKenzie et al, 2003;Randall and Tsui, 2002), most studies on the Na + /NH 4 + exchange metabolon, particularly those focusing on the involvement of Rh proteins, have been short term. Recently, we have compared the acute physiological responses of three teleosts differing in their toxicological sensitivity to HEA (rainbow trout>common carp>goldfish) (Liew et al, 2013).…”